Window-screen



(No Model.)

B. A. WORTHEN. WINDOW SCREEN.

Patented Oct. 12, 1897.

mi nouns mats co. mummy. wmmon. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. IVORTHEN', OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT.

WINDOW- SCREEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 591,714, dated October 12, 1897. Application filed March 27, 1897. serial No. 629,531. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. WORTHE N, a citizen of the United States, residing at Burlington, in the county of Ohittenden and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in W'indow-Screens; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to window-screens; and the object is to provide a'device of improved form for closing the space occurring between the panes of the'upper and lower sashes when either sash is open either wholly or partially, and thus prevent the passage of flies and other insects therethrough, the closer and its operating means being so arranged as to automatically retract the closer before reaching a sash-rail, as when the sashes are moved past each other. The closing device is thus prevented from obstructing such movement of the sashes or from being itself injured by constituting such an obstruction.

A further object is to provide spring mechanism of improved form for setting the closing device and also for holding the same retracted.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the outer side of a window-frame, the sashes therein being provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view showing the screen or closer set. Fig.4 is a similar view, the closer being retracted.

A designates the lower rail of the upper sash, and B the screen or closer arranged on the under side thereof and formed with transverse slots 0, through which securing-screws D extend and upon which the screen is adapted to move transversely in the form of a slide. The front edge of the screen is formed to snugly fit the glass E and stiles F of the lower sash and adapted to bear thereagainst when either sash is moved vertically, excepting when held retracted by the device presently to be explained. This normally-extended position is maintained by springs G, extending beneath and paralleling the bottom rail A, with their free ends engaging the edge of the screen and normally pressing the same against the lower sash. The outer ends of the springs are formed with lips or enlargements H,which are secured by screws to the stiles of theupper sash.

For holding the screen retracted bolt I is provided, adapted to move vertically inpassage formed in rail A, screen B being formed with an opening adapted to aline with the bolt-opening when retracted and into which the bolt is automatically forced by flat spring J, secured at one end to the top of rail A and at its free end bifurcated to embrace the bolt, the latter being slotted on opposite sides to receive the spring. of this spring is to force the bolt downward, so that as soon as the bolt and screen openings aline the bolt is forced into the latter and holds the screen retracted until the bolt is raised by hand.

For automatically retracting the screen, as when approaching the lower rail K of the lower sash by the movement of either sash, I provide guides L, which are arranged in vertical position and secured to the outer surface of v rail K, with their upper ends M in- The constant tendency clined inward in close proximity to or actually bearing against pane N. When the sliding screen meets these inclined guides, it is automatically moved backward, when it is caught and retained by the spring-bolt, so that the sashes may be moved in either direction and freely pass each other without being obstructed by the screen. Then when it is desired to again set the latter the bolt is simply raised, when the screen is moved to position by springs G.

-It will be noted that while the screen fits snugly against the glass and stiles of the lower sash, so as to effectually close the same against the passage of insects, it in no way hinders the sliding of either sash, as when inserting a screen.

The device herein shown and described is extremely simple and effective, and the arrangement is such that there is no possibility of the screen obstructing the free movement of the sashes or of coming in contact with the rail of the lower sash to the injury thereof or the screen itself. The screen not only prevents the passage of insects in summer, but, projecting as it does flatly against the lower surface of the top rail of the lower sash, it seals the space between the meeting rails and excludes cold in winter.

I do not limit myself to the form of spring shown for setting and holding the sliding screen, for, if preferred, spiral or other forms of springs may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a window-sash, a transversely-movable screen carried thereby and held normally in extended position,means for automatically retracting the screen, and a lock adapted to engage the screen automatieally when retracted, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of the upper sash, a screen movable transversely thereunder, the lower sash, devices carried by the lower sash for automatically retracting the screen from engagement with said sash, and a lock carried by the upper sash for engaging and holding retracted the screen, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of the upper sash, a spring-actuated screen movable on the under side thereof, the lower sash which the screen is adapted to normally engage, and downwardly-inclined guides carried by the lower sash adjacent its lower rail for engaging and retracting the screen to enable it to freely pass said rail, substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination of the upper sash, a spring-actuated screen movable transversely on the under side thereof, the lower sash which the screen is adapted to normally engage, and guides having vertical lower portions adapted to be secured to the outer surfaceof the bottom rail of the lower sash and having their upper ends inclined inward toward the glass of the lower sash, the guides being adapted to engage the screen and retract the same so as to freely pass said bottom rail, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination of the upper sash having the bottom rail thereof formed with a vertical bolt-passage, a spring-actuated bolt extended through the passage, and the springactuated screen slidableon the under side of the sash and formed with an opening adapted to aline when the screen is contracted with the bolt-opening and be engaged by the bolt, thus holding the screen contracted, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I do affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD A. WORTHEN.

Witnesses:

EDMUND O. MOWER, G. H. ROGERS. 

